themurf Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 (photo by Brian Murphy) [Editor's note: This is part two of an exclusive one-on-one interview with Redskins receiver Santana Moss. To read part one, please click here.] Twice during the first two weeks of the 2011 season, the Washington Redskins have opted to keep the offense on the field and go for it on fourth down. In both instances, the ball was put in the hands of receiver Santana Moss, and both times the veteran receiver came up huge when his team needed him most. Washington’s biggest play of the season thus far came on 4th-and-3 in the fourth quarter, when the Redskins trailed the Arizona Cardinals by two scores with just over five minutes remaining in the game. Rather than turning to kicker Graham Gano, who continues to blow easy opportunities, head coach Mike Shanahan asked his offense to step up and make a play when the game was on the line. Quarterback Rex Grossman dropped back and delivered a ball to the back corner of the end zone, where Moss hauled in an 18-yard score to pull Washington within two points with 5:17 left in the game. Perhaps the most impressive part of the play is the fact that Moss swears he wasn’t aware it was 4th down. He was too focused on being ready if the football was thrown his way. “Did I catch a fourth down pass,” Moss asked after the game. “I didn’t even know. When you’re out there, you’re just trying to make plays regardless of what down it is. I sometimes don’t know what’s going on out of the field. I’m just looking at that play. “When I’m out there I just go back to thinking about practice and how I did this in practice,” he continued. “How was it when I was tired in practice? Mentally, I’m everywhere, but I’m not worried about the downs or situations. I’m just trying to make a play because my team is calling on me right now.” Clearly, that mindset has served Moss well, especially against next week’s opponent – the Dallas Cowboys. In 11 games against Dallas as a member of the Redskins, Moss has 68 catches for 990 yards and six touchdowns. Some of the 32-year-old’s best performances have come against Washington’s biggest rival, and Moss admits it’s not a coincidence. “The Redskins-Cowboys games are something I remember watching growing up,” he said. “To get a chance to be a part of that — and to be here with the team I always felt I should be with — it inspired me to go out and play my best against Dallas. I couldn’t tell you why I’m able to have more success against them than some other teams, it just happened that way. “I don’t really circle that game on the calendar or anything,” Moss added. “It’s just, when those lights come on with a chance to play on the biggest stage — every game is big to me — but for some reason the lights just shine a little brighter when it’s the Redskins and Cowboys.” It should come as no surprise that Moss’ favorite game of his NFL career came in 2005 against Dallas. He also cites his three touchdown performance against the New York Giants his first season in Washington and the overtime thriller against Jacksonville in 2006 as other personal favorites. This past offseason, Moss had the opportunity to leave the Redskins and sign elsewhere as a free agent. In his words though, that was never really an option. But the question had to be asked – why stay in Washington where there is never a shortage of drama? Click here for the full article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman21ST Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Rather than turning to kicker Graham Gano, who had failed to convert either of his two attempts this season, head coach Mike Shanahan asked his offense to step up and make a play when the game was on the line. Hey Murf, at the time Gano was 2 of 3 on the day, with the miss being a block, and 2 of 4 on the year. Where'd you get that bolded part from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsHokieFan Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 One minor correction Murf The Santanaclaus game vs the Giants in 2005 wasn't the last game of the year. It was the last home game. The last game of the year was in Philly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themurf Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 Clearly I cut and pasted the wrong version of this. Thanks for the assist, fellas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman21ST Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 No prob, murf. Everyone gets a mulligan. Just don't do it again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fresh8686 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 So glad he came back and its only fitting that he's got a chance to rack up over a 1000 yards receiving against Dallas come Monday... also breaking into double digits in TD's against them would be pretty cool too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackson8919 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 You just have to love Moss as a Skins fan. The guy is a class act through and through. He knows how bad Skins fans want to beat "that team next to the Fort Worth Airport" and always shows up to play hard when we face them. Glad to have him back and see him finish his career in the burgundy and gold! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herrmag Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 The only qualm I have is about Gano and his aptitude for blowing "easy opportunities". No doubt he missed an easy FG in game one, but was the block legitimately his fault? ---------- Post added September-21st-2011 at 10:26 PM ---------- You just have to love Moss as a Skins fan. The guy is a class act through and through. He knows how bad Skins fans want to beat "that team next to the Fort Worth Airport" and always shows up to play hard when we face them. Glad to have him back and see him finish his career in the burgundy and gold! I won't ever forget the 2 touchdown, 4th qtr performance. Who can? He is truly the Cowboy killer. Gotta love him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselPwr44 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I guess Joe Gibbs was right when he called Santana a core Redskin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herrmag Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Perhaps this is why Shanny makes decisions based on practice, and isn't curious if players can somehow perform better on gameday: “When I’m out there I just go back to thinking about practice and how I did this in practice,” he continued. “How was it when I was tired in practice? Mentally, I’m everywhere, but I’m not worried about the downs or situations. I’m just trying to make a play because my team is calling on me right now.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thatturkishguy Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Good write up, He's always been one of my favorites. Busts his ass for the team and is low key. A true character guy and a great redskin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWFLSkins Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 #1 Cowboy Killa. My man. SANTANA MOSS/ So glad he is finishing his career as a Skin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goingforburgundy Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Santana Ring of Fame worthy? I say yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander -JB- Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Did he really say McNabb is a top 5 QB ? Lmao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhead36 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Did he really say McNabb is a top 5 QB ? Lmao He's being classy. Moss isn't going to trash a guy in public. In private though I bet the guy is thinking, "Man, that guy was terrible last year. What a bum!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UK_HOG Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I won't ever forget the 2 touchdown, 4th qtr performance. Who can? He is truly the Cowboy killer. Gotta love him. http://www.filefactory.com/file/ced0373/n/3bigplays.wmv That's a link to a 3mb vid of that memorable night. :dallasuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackson8919 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Santana Ring of Fame worthy?I say yes No doubt in my mind. Best 'Skins WR since Monk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrFan Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I still remember him and Brunell beating the boys in their own house, that was awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themurf Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 Perhaps this is why Shanny makes decisions based on practice, and isn't curious if players can somehow perform better on gameday:“When I’m out there I just go back to thinking about practice and how I did this in practice,” he continued. “How was it when I was tired in practice? Mentally, I’m everywhere, but I’m not worried about the downs or situations. I’m just trying to make a play because my team is calling on me right now.” That's a very solid observation on your part. It's definitely clear in covering the team this year that Shanahan puts a premium on players who practice like they play. Gone are the days of Portis and Haynesworth standing on the sidelines in baseball caps. This coaching staff wants guys who put in the work all week long so they can see results on game day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8181 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 My first memory of Santana Moss is watching him as a Jet versus the Steelers in the playoff. He returned a punt for a TD. Very electric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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